Review by ggultra2764 
UPDATED: 152 days ago
member for 2.1 years, 932 visits, last login: a few hours ago
 Cambridge,Washington,NY
 $59 per month (24 month contract)
 about 553 days
 "Large amounts of rural coverage, beats dial-up, great connection speeds."
 "The 5 GB monthly download limit, BroadbandAccess speeds make it tempting to go over 5 GB quickly."
 "Worth it if you are often on the go, but can be a problem if you use more than 5 GB in a month."
| Pre Sales Information:
Install process:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)
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For six months after I left college, I was desperately searching around for broadband Internet for my laptop. DSL and cable connections were tempting. But, they had no coverage in my area and TimeWarner Cable wanted me to cough up over $900 to get a cable out where I live which was way too costly for me, especially since I just got out of college. And I heard enough evil things about sattelite Internet so I didn't want to venture into their territory.
But while Christmas shopping for my family at Best Buy, I came across a Verizon Wireless salesman selling wireless USB modems. He was quite understanding of my situation and gave me plenty of information about Verizon's wireless Internet network, including the NationalAccess connections possible in places that couldn't normally get dial-up. Tempted, I subscribed to the network right on the spot and the cost for the USB modem was reduced since I now had a subscription.
Installation of the modem was simple enough once I installed the hardware for it on my computer via CD and setting up the modem for one of my computer's USB port. The installation of the modem only took me about 5 minutes.
As for connections, I can only get the NationalAccess connection out where I live, but the connection's quite good and I can get download and upload speeds 4 times faster than my old dial-up connection on AOL when I ran a speed test on the modem (120 kbps Down/ 123 kbps Up).
There are two major problems that I do have with Verizon Wireless's services though. First, would be the 5 GB monthly download limit. With my regular Internet use at college, I would normally use about 25 to 30 GB a month doing Internet browsing, video streaming, and peer-to-peer downloads using Bittorrent. My laptop only has about 25 GB of hard drive space so I can't overhaul my laptop with downloaded files as heavily as those with higher storage capacities for their computer. 5 GB is a bit limiting for what I would like to get off my new connection, especially since I can only get the NationalAccess connection from Verizon Wireless out where I live.
Second of course, would be the limitations of what you can do with Verizon's connection. Verizon Wireless's Terms of Service specifically state their service is only meant to be used for basic Internet uses such as Internet browsing and e-mailing. Peer-to-peer programs and video streaming, my two frequent uses of the Internet at college, are of prohibited use in their services and I've heard of enough folks who made the jump from Verizon to Sprint because they felt limited in what they could do online while with Verizon Wireless.
With both of these issues, I think Verizon Wireless has a poor preconceived notion of what they think all people like to do online much like sattelite Internet providers have with their Fair Access Policies.
If you live in the boonies, can't get DSL or cable out where you live, and can't stand dial-up or sattelite Internet, then Verizon Wireless could be for you. Just be prepared for a limited online experience if you like doing more online besides Internet browsing and e-mailing.
UPDATE (12/14/07): During the past few days, my area was hit by a series of snow storms. This obviously effected how good my connection was as both my download and upload rates had dropped into the lower-90 kbps on Thursday and my connection was at two bars most of the time up to early today. Right now, my connection is back up to three bars and my download rate improved from Wednesday's speed test.
UPDATE (4/6/08): It's been over four months now since I went on Verizon Wireless for an ISP. I can still only get NationalAccess connections here at my house and even with an antenna I bought for my USB modem, I can still only get NationalAccess. The only benefit with the antenna is an improved signal with my connection.
My Internet use during the week is normally close to or over 100 MB a day since I work most of the day and around 200 MB a day on weekends. A good chunk of my data usage comes from seeing videos on Youtube, frequent downloading, and updating my virus and spyware protection.
NationalAccess seems more of a blessing for me since videos and downloaded files do take time to load up on the 1XRTT connection of NationalAccess. I would be more tempted to use more of my monthly data if I did have BroadbandAccess capable speeds out where I lived which could give me problems thanks to the 5 GB cap VZW has set up. It would be better if they either gave higher data usage for the month or actually give Sprint a run for their money by actually offering unlimited data usage at a cheaper price.
Otherwise, the connection has been able to hold up very well and I rarely lose my signal. If VZW were to just lighten up on their Terms of Service and their monthly caps, then I could do more with the connection without worrying about my data usage.
UPDATE (4/8/08): I checked Verizon's Terms of Service today and it looks like they have lightened up on what you can use their connection for. Online gaming and streaming are now allowed. I still wish they can lighten up on their monthly caps.
UPDATE (6/2/08): I now have BroadbandAccess Rev. A coverage out where I live. After doing a speed test, I got 953 kbps down, 500 kbps up. While the greater speed is a great asset to me, now I'm gonna have to be more wary of how much I download since I can get things faster. I still think VZW should lighten up on their caps.
UPDATE (6/3/08): Speed tests came up with 831 kbps down, 397 kbps up. And the speeds I got from yesterday had me tempted to do some downloading which within an hour, I already used over 100 MB of my data usage. I've already used over 3 GB of my data usage for this billing period so far and it won't be for two weeks until my data account is reset for the next billing period. I see no reason to having such a large amount of download speed if I have such a small monthly cap put on it which is why I could deal with NationalAccess easier since it took me longer to get stuff downloaded.
UPDATE (7/13/08): As of Friday, I went over my 5 GB cap yet so far I haven't been throttled which must mean my area isn't too reliant on the wireless tower near my house. And topping off the fact that I signed up for VZW back in December of last year, I also don't have to worry about overage fees so I'm in a bit of a lucky situation at this moment. But, this doesn't change my criticism of being wary of Verizon's caps, especially if you got a contract with them after March of this year. Latest speed test results are 778 kbps down, 380 kbps up.
UPDATE (9/18/08): I got my bandwidth throttled last month from using 8 GB in a month due to the fact I'm currently unemployed. I have heard rumors that those with an 'unlimited' account can use up to 7 GB in a month before having their speed throttled which could explain why the two months I went over 5 GB didn't get me throttled. I'm now back at full speed as of today. Latest speed test results are 1035 kbps down, 388 kbps up.
UPDATE (12/2/08): It's now been just over a year since I first made my contract with VZW. I've been throttled for a second month since I used nearly 8 GB in two consecutive months which goes to show where a tight monthly cap can get you while bored and unemployed. But of course, I don't have overage fees to worry about since I'm still on an 'unlimited' contract. As far as my connection is concerned, it still holds up well in most circumstances. I've had occasions where I can't connect to web sites or lose my connection due to heavy weather. But, this is expected since it's a wireless connection after all.
I am hoping within the next year that VZW loosens up on its tight caps before I have to renew my contract. It would be a pain to have to pay overage fees just because I decide to go giddy on watching Youtube videos one night in a single sitting.
I've even heard that T-Mobile offers a 10 GB cap or unlimited data usage with its customers which seems far more flexible than what I'm getting out of VZW. Too bad there's no T-Mobile coverage out here. Otherwise, I would consider jumping WISPs once my contract with VZW expired if Verizon still doesn't loosen up on caps.than
UPDATE (6/9/09): It's been over 18 months now since I first got on a contract with VZW. Connection still holds up well and I'm still not happy with the 5 GB bandwidth cap. While it does look like VZW's easing on its overage fees, the price is still costly for my regular monthly usage being between 7 and 8 GB. I still don't have to worry about overage fees for another 6 months since my contract is still on VZW's old terms. But I'd like something more better than paying over $100 in overage fees every month if I choose to renew my contract with them.
Followup comments:  
Balooka
@shawcable.net | 5 GB Limit With your speeds I think it would be very difficult to hit the 5 GIG limit vzw has. Look for VZW to lift that limit in the future. | |
|  | ggultra2764
join:2007-09-13
Cambridge, NY
1 edit | Re: 5 GB Limit What would make you think they would extend their limit? | |
| ydoucare
join:2003-03-12
Rensselaer, IN | ... NationalAccess, which is 1xRTT, can only do 144 kbps max, so your Day 3 test is either wrong, or you are somehow on a very terrible EVDO connection. | |
| | ggultra2764
join:2007-09-13
Cambridge, NY | Re: ... Has to be a bug with the speed test then. Because I was dropping my mouth in shock over how the download rate was even though NationalAccess's speed is comparable to IDSL connections as you've mentioned.
But what I got was what I got. | |
| | |
ExtremeHobo
@myvzw.com | Re: ... The limit states that after 5 gigs it lowers your speed to 200Kbps which is should still be plenty fast for most people. Has anyone actually achieved this limit to see? | |
| | | | bullet087
join:2006-05-17 | Re: ... Very true. If your on 1x anyway, there is no way in hell you will be going over 200kbps (with EVDO, however, you can), so no need to worry about the 5GB/month limit | |
| | | | | ggultra2764
join:2007-09-13
Cambridge, NY | Re: ... So if I went over 5 GB on Verizon's NationalAccess connection, I wouldn't have to worry about having my bandwidth throttled or being penalized to pay more for going over the cap? | |
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DRK0010
@myvzw.com | Re: ... Verizon WILL cut you off and they couldn't tell me if you will still be responsible for the 'early termination' fee.. | |
| | | | | | | ggultra2764
join:2007-09-13
Cambridge, NY | Re: ... An angry, unsatisfied former Verizon Wireless customer I take it? Unfortunately, money's too tight for me right now to consider jumping service providers. Christmas shopping cost me enough money. | |
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DRK0010
@myvzw.com
| with rev.A and the newer hardware I am able to achive over 2Mbps download speed, faster than my DSL at home! (my service area is Washinigton DC/Baltimore area) 1gb over an hour is very easy to achive if I don't move my laptop too much from point a to point b.. | |
|
DRK0010
@myvzw.com
| Sprint Vision Just got off the the Sprint site and kept a transcript of my question regarding the 'unlimited' usage issue for Sprint Vision..
I am making the switch now.. sprint vision is a real 'unlimited' plan! unless someone really abuse the network of course.. | |
| pete7973
join:2008-07-19
Florence, AZ
|  Verizon wireless business paradigm
| |
| ljs9249
join:2008-07-24
Lyons, NY
|  BroadbandAccess vs NationalAccess
 . This is driving me crazy and any help would be appreciated! Thanks! | |
|
wade
@myvzw.com | verizon wireless hey m8's i have verizon wireless broadband and i achieve a max of 1mb download/224kb upload and i have went way over the 5gb download limit that was specified in my contract but my connection has not suffered i hope this helps. =P =P | |
| | ggultra2764
join:2007-09-13
Cambridge, NY
 ·Verizon Wireless B..
| Re: verizon wireless When did you sign your contract with VZW? If you signed up before March 2008, you don't have to worry about overage fees. But if you signed up after that, then you'll still have to worry about overage fees by paying 49 cents for each megabyte you go over. | |
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